Turned Creations

This Christmas ornament is made with Box Elder being used for the 2 1/4″ diameter globe, a True Mahogany used for the Finial and Icicle. The finial is 2 1/2″ long and the Icicle is 4″ long.
To hang the ornament I drilled a 1/16″ hole through the finial and threaded in a gold wire reinforced string to create a loop. That seemed a little more natural to me that putting in a screw-eye.
The finish is wipe-on polyurethane.
The piece will be featured in the December/January issue of Canadian Woodworking magazine that comes out in November, 2009.

Christmas Ornament for Canadian Woodworking Christmas Issue 2009

Tags: Allan Cusworth, Box Elder Wood Turning, Canadian Woodworking Magazine, Professional Wood Turner, Turned Christmas Ornament

Do you have a problem with getting shavings in your shirt pocket while you are turning or sawing wood? Here’s a way I have found to help with this situation. Place a strip of painter’s masking tape over the opening at the top, leaving just enough of a slit for you pencil to go through. Or, if you’re concerned about being able to see it, use clear plastic packaging tape.
“Voila” you have a shavings free shirt pocket when you going into the house for lunch.
Works for me!
Keep on Turning; Allan

Woodturning is a fantastic way of turning functional and artistic ideas into pieces of useful and expressive art.

By sharing that creativity with others through galleries, craft shows, guild meetings, and just one-on-one activities, I feel it shares a part of who I am and what my values are. This web site is also a great forum for that expression.

The pieces I create need to fulfill an expressive goal. Whether it is a salad bowl that someone will toss lettuce in, a hollow form that will hold dried flowers, a wedding goblet that will remind newlyweds of their long term commitment, or a decorative platter that will become a family heirloom, the results must be the same - make some one feel happy.

With all this philosophical stuff in mind, I’m working on creating a new project idea that stretches turning my turning capabilities to a new level. I want to turn a square goblet. Thanks to some of my friends in the Vancouver Woodturners Guild I have learned some techniques that will help make that happen. I know I will make a few rejects as I climb the learning curve learning a new skill and technique.

So, tune in later and see the results of my stretching.

Constructive comments, feedback and communication are always welcome.